Apparatus for installing a screen protector on an electronic device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for assisting in affixing a screen protector to a display of an electronic device. The apparatus includes a base having a platform for supporting the electronic device, a lid attached to the base, and a positioning mechanism for aligning the electronic device on the platform. The positioning mechanism includes a first positioning jaw movable between a first and a second position. The positioning jaw includes a first surface configured to contact the first corner of the electronic device and a second surface configured to contact the second corner of the electronic device when the first positioning jaw moves from the first position to the second position. Moving the lid from a first position to a second position at least partially covering the electronic device moves the first positioning jaw from the first position to the second position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/885,381, filed Aug. 12, 2019, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for installing ascreen protector over a display screen of an electronic device.

Screen protectors are used to cover and protect the display screens ofelectronic devices. Screen protectors may be used to protect, forexample, the surface of digital electronic device display componentsduring manufacture, or may be adhered to a display screen of a completeddevice to protect it from damage during normal day-to-day use. At leasta portion of the screen protector is often transparent, and may permitthe use of touch-sensitive features of the electronic device through thescreen protector. Screen protectors may be formed of a glass material,such as soda lime glass or fortified glass, or a polymeric material,such as a plastic film or a composite of one or more polymers.

Display screens for electronic devices may have a substantially flatsurface, a substantially curved surface, or a substantially flat mainportion and one or more curved or rounded edge portions. Compound curvesmay also be possible.

In some situations, it can be difficult to properly align the screenprotector when applying or adhering it to the display screen of theelectronic device. Poor alignment may result in poor adhesion betweenthe screen protector and the electronic device. Additionally, misalignededges of the screen protector may result in an inability to use aprotective case with the installed screen protector, or the screenprotector inadvertently becoming detached from the electronic devicewhen a protective case is installed on the electronic device.

Improvements in one or more of the foregoing are desired.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided for assisting inaffixing a screen protector to a display of an electronic device. Theapparatus includes a base having a platform for supporting theelectronic device, a lid attached to the base, and a positioningmechanism for positioning the electronic device on the platform. Thepositioning mechanism includes a first positioning jaw movable between afirst and a second position. The positioning jaw includes a firstsurface configured to contact the first corner of the supportedelectronic device and a second surface configured to contact the secondcorner of the supported electronic device when the first positioning jawmoves from the first position to the second position. The firstpositioning jaw is configured to position the supported electronicdevice on the platform in the second position. Moving the lid from afirst position to a second position at least partially covering theelectronic device moves the first positioning jaw from the firstposition to the second position.

In one exemplary embodiment, a screen protector cartridge assembly isprovided. The assembly includes a screen protector including an adhesivepositioned on a bottom side. The screen protector is configured toprotect a display of an electronic device. The assembly includes acartridge board releasably attached to the screen protector. Thecartridge board includes an aperture providing access to the screenprotector. The assembly includes a bottom release liner covering theadhesive and releasably attached to the bottom surface of the screenprotector.

In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided for assisting inaffixing a screen protector to a display of an electronic device. Theapparatus includes a base including a platform configured to support theelectronic device. The apparatus includes a lid configured to cover atleast a portion of the base and the supported electronic device, the lidincluding an aperture. The apparatus includes a gantry including aroller configured to contact a screen protector through the aperture inthe lid. The gantry is movable with respect to the lid and configured toaffix the screen protector to the supported electronic device when thegantry moves from a first position to the second position.

Various other embodiments and variations of the apparatuses, methods,and systems are also disclosed. While multiple embodiments aredisclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following detailed description and figures, whichdescribe and show illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will berealized, the invention is capable of modifications in various aspects,all without departing from the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary apparatus forinstalling a screen protector on an electronic device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic device loaded into the apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the lid in the open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with thebottom cover removed and the lid in the open position.

FIG. 5 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the lid in the closedposition.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with thebottom cover removed and the lid in the closed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the lid in the openposition and the positioning mechanism engaging the electronic device.

FIG. 8 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the lid in the openposition and the electronic device positioned in the apparatus.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary screen protector cartridge assemblyincluding a screen protector.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective sectional view of the screen protectorcartridge assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side sectional view of the screen protectorcartridge assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of the screen protector cartridgeassembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 illustrates the cartridge assembly of FIG. 9 being inserted inthe apparatus of FIG. 8 with the lid in an open position.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective sectional view of the cartridge ofFIG. 9 being inserted in the apparats of FIG. 8 with the lid in a closedposition.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 14 with the lid closed and thegantry in the back position.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 16with the gantry in the back position.

FIG. 18 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary gantry ofthe apparatus of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 illustrates a section view of the gantry of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 16with the gantry in an intermediate position.

FIG. 21 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 16 with the gantry in theforward position.

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective sectional view of the apparatus ofFIG. 16 with the gantry in the forward position.

FIG. 23 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of FIG.16 with the gantry in the forward position.

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective sectional view of the apparatus ofFIG. 23.

FIG. 25 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 16 with the lid in an openposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 100 forinstalling a screen protector 52 (see FIG. 9) on a display 92 of anelectronic device 90 (see FIG. 3), such as a smartphone or tabletcomputer. As illustrated in FIG. 1, apparatus 100 is in an initialconfiguration prior to screen protector cartridge assembly 50 orelectronic device 90 being received by apparatus 100. An explodedperspective view of apparatus 100 is illustrated in FIG. 2.

Apparatus 100 includes a base 110 having a platform 112 for supportingthe electronic device 90. In some embodiments, platform 112 has at leastone dimension, such as a length or a width, that is larger than acorresponding dimension of the supported electronic device 90. In someembodiments, platform 112 includes a recess 114 aligned to receive afeature extending from a back surface of electronic device 90, such as acamera, a flash, and/or a fingerprint sensor. Recess 114 allowselectronic device 90 to sit flat against platform 112 when electronicdevice 90 is properly positioned. Recess 114 may have at least onedimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the featureof electronic device 90.

Apparatus 100 further includes a lid 120 attached to base 110. Lid 120is attached to base 110 and is moveable with respect to base 110 betweena first position for receiving the electronic device 90 such asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and a second position at least partiallycovering the base 110 and supported electronic device 90, such asillustrated in FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, lid 120 includes a first portion 122. First portion122 at least partially covers the base 110 and supported electronicdevice 90 when the lid is in the second position as illustrated in FIG.5.

In some embodiments, lid 120 includes a second portion 124. Secondportion 124 is attached to base 110 and allows lid 120 to move betweenthe first position and the second position. In the illustratedembodiment, base 110 is pivotably or rotatably attached to lid 120through second portion 124. In other embodiments, base 110 may beslidably attached to lid 120 through second portion 124. In still otherembodiments, lid 120 may be completely removable from base 110.

In some embodiments, second portion 124 include a biasing element 125such as a spring or flexing element that biases or temporarily holds lid120 in the first position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

In some embodiments, second portion 124 includes a lower edge 126extending around a bottom side of body 110 (see FIGS. 4 and 6). Asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, lower edge 126 moves between a firstposition illustrated in FIG. 4 and a second position illustrated in FIG.6 in response to the lid 120 moves between the corresponding first andsecond positions.

In some embodiments, body 110 includes a latch 116 configured toreleasably secure lid 120 in the second position illustrated in FIG. 5through slot 128 in first portion 122 of lid 120. In other embodiments,latch 116 is positioned to be received within a corresponding slot 128positioned elsewhere on lid 120. In still other embodiments, latch 116is positioned on lid 120 to be received with in a corresponding slot 128on body 110.

In some exemplary embodiments, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, apparatus100 further includes a positioning mechanism 130 for aligning and/orpositioning electronic device 90 on platform 112. In some embodiments,positioning mechanism 130 includes a first positioning jaw 132 and asecond positioning jaw 134. In other embodiments, positioning mechanism130 may include a first positioning jaw 132 but not a second positioningjaw 134.

First positioning jaw 132 is moveable between a first position forreceiving electronic device 90, such as illustrated in FIG. 3, and asecond position contacting one or more corners 94 of electronic device90, such as first corner 94A and second corner 94B, as illustrated inFIG. 7. In some embodiments, moving first positioning jaw 132 from thefirst position to the second position results in the electronic device90 being preferably positioned platform 112.

First positioning jaw 132 includes a first surface 136 configured tocontact a first corner 94A of electronic device 90 and a second surface138 configured to contact a second corner 94B of electronic device 90 asthe first positioning jaw 132 moves from the first position to thesecond position. First positioning jaw 132 further includes anintermediate surface 140 positioned between first surface 136 and secondsurface 138 that is configured to not contact electronic device. In someembodiments, first surface 136 is positioned at an angle with respect tosecond surface 138 to assist in aligning and/or positioning electronicdevice 90. In a more particular embodiment, first surface 136 ispositioned at an angle as little as 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°,135°, 150° with respect to second surface 138, or within any rangedefined between any two of the foregoing values, such as 30° to 150°,60° to 120°, or 75° to 105°. In some embodiments, first surface 136and/or second surface 138 has a curved shape to allow first corner 94Aand/or second corner 94B to slide along the respective surface to assistin aligning and/or positioning electronic device 90 as first positioningjaw 132 is moved from the first position to the second position.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, first positioning jaw 132 is operablyconnected to lower edge 126 of lid 120 such that moving the lid 120 fromthe first position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the second positionillustrated in FIG. 6 results in the first positioning jaw 132 movingfrom the first position illustrated in FIG. 3 to the second positionillustrated in FIG. 7, thereby aligning and/or positioning electronicdevice 90 on platform 112. Lower edge 126 is rotatably or pivotablyconnected to a first end 150 of drive shaft 152. A second end 154 ofdrive shaft 152 is connected to a slidable rack member 156 attached tofirst positioning jaw 132 through aperture 158 in platform 112.

Movement of the lid 120 as it moves from the first position to thesecond position is transferred as lateral movement from the lower edge126 of lid 120 through the drive shaft 152 and slidable rack member 156,resulting in a lateral movement of the attached first positioning jaw132 between the first position and the second position.

In some embodiments, drive shaft 152 comprises a tube 160 and a spring162 positioning at least partially inside tube 160. A portion of thelateral movement transferred from the lower edge 126 of the lid 120 maybe absorbed by the spring 162 rather than transmitted to slidable rackmember 156. In this way, electronic devices 90 of varying sizes may bepositioned by apparatus 100, with larger electronic devices 90 resultingin a larger portion of the lateral movement being absorbed by the springthan smaller electronic devices 90.

In some embodiments, second positioning jaw 134 is moveable between afirst position for receiving the electronic device, such as illustratedin FIG. 3, and a second position contacting one or more corners 94 ofelectronic device, such as third corner 94C and fourth corner 94D, asillustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, moving second positioningjaw 134 from the first position to the second position results in theelectronic device 90 being positioned platform 112. In otherembodiments, second positioning jaw 134 does not move, and instead isstationary while only first positioning jaw 132 moves between a firstposition and a second position.

In some embodiments, second positioning jaw 134 includes a first surface142 configured to contact a third corner 94C of electronic device 90 anda second surface 144 configured to contact a fourth corner 94D ofelectronic device 90 as the second positioning jaw 134 moves from thefirst position to the second position. In other embodiments, secondpositioning jaw 134 includes a first surface 142 configured to contact athird corner 94C of electronic device 90 and a second surface 144configured to contact a fourth corner 94D of electronic device 90 whilefirst positioning jaw 132 moves from the first position to the secondposition, pushing electronic device 90 against second positioning jaw134. Second positioning jaw 134 further includes an intermediate surface146 positioned between first surface 142 and second surface 144 that isconfigured to not contact electronic device. In some embodiments, firstsurface 142 is positioned at an angle with respect to second surface 144to assist in aligning and/or positioning electronic device 90. In a moreparticular embodiment, first surface 142 is positioned at an angle aslittle as 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150° with respectto second surface 144, or within any range defined between any two ofthe foregoing values, such as 30° to 150°, 60° to 120°, or 75° to 105°.In some embodiments, first surface 142 and/or second surface 142 has acurved shape to allow third corner 94C and/or fourth corner 94D to slidealong the respective surface to assist in aligning and/or positioningelectronic device 90.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 6, in some embodiments second positioningjaw 134 is operably connected to lower edge 126 of lid 120 such thatmoving the lid 120 from the first position illustrated in FIG. 4 to thesecond position illustrated in FIG. 6 results in the second positioningjaw 134 moving from the first position illustrated in FIG. 3 to thesecond position illustrated in FIG. 7, thereby aligning and/orpositioning electronic device 90 on platform 112.

In some embodiments, aligning and/or positioning electronic device 90includes moving electronic device 90 from an initial position, such asillustrated in FIG. 3, to a position in which screen protector 52 is tobe affixed to display 92 of electronic device 90. In some embodiments,it can be important for display 92 to be properly positioned withrespect to screen protector 52 such that screen protector 52 is alignedwith display 92 for proper application and fit of screen protector 52onto display 92. In some embodiments, aligning and/or positioningelectronic device 90 includes centering electronic device 90 ontoplatform 112 of base 110. In other embodiments, electronic device 90 isnot centered on platform 112 when aligned and/or positioned, but is in alocation directly below a corresponding position of screen protector 52when screen protector cartridge assembly 50 is received within lid 120and lid 120 is moved to the second position, such as illustrated in FIG.16.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in some embodiments slidable rack member 156includes a first plurality of teeth 164 configured to engage one or moregears 166 positioned below platform 112. The one or more gears 166 eachillustratively include a plurality of teeth 168, some of which engagefirst plurality of teeth 164 of slidable rack member 156, some of whichengage teeth 168 of an adjacent gear 166, and some of which engage teeth170 of a second slidable rack member 172. Second slidable rack member172 is illustratively connected to second positioning jaw 134 through anaperture (not shown) in platform 112. Lateral movement of slidable rackmember 156 is translated through rotation of the gears 168 to lateralmovement of second slidable rack member 172 and attached secondpositioning jaw 134.

In some embodiments, a second drive shaft 174 may be attached at a firstend 176 to second slidable rack member 172. In some embodiments, seconddrive shaft 174 may include a spring (not shown) configured to absorb aportion of the lateral movement being transferred from second slidablerack member 172 to second positioning jaw 134.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, apparatus 100 includesone or more pivotable connectors 182 for connecting base 110 to lid 120.In some embodiments, connectors 182 may include a friction cone 184 forslowing an opening speed of lid 110 due to biasing element 125. FIG. 2further illustrates a variety of connectors 186 for affixing variouscomponents together, including for securing gears 166 to base 110 andbottom cover 188 to base 110.

Apparatus 100 further includes a removable tray 190 received withingrooves 192 in base 110. Tray 190 is configured to collect and store aremovable liner 70 (see FIGS. 9-12) from screen protector cartridge 50.Tray 190 illustratively includes a removable rear cover 194 for emptyingone or more removable liners 70 from tray 190.

Referring next to FIG. 3, an electronic device 90 is positioned onplatform 112 with the display 92 facing upward. As illustrated in FIG.3, there is no need for electronic device 90 to be manually positionedonto platform 112 by the user, as long as the corners 94A-94D ofelectronic device are positioned between first positioning jaw 132 andsecond positioning jaw 134. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, in thisposition, the lid 120, first positioning jaw 132 and second positioningjaw 134, as well as corresponding slidable rack members 156, 172, areeach positioned in their respective first positions.

Referring next to FIGS. 5 and 6, the lid 120 has been closed, moving itfrom the first position to the second position. The movement of loweredge 126 of lid 120 has moved slidable rack member 156 and attachedfirst positioning jaw 132 to the second position. In some embodiments, aportion of the lateral movement due to movement of lid 120 has beenabsorbed by spring 162 of driveshaft 152 rather than transferred tofirst positioning jaw 132. The movement slidable rack member 132 hasbeen transferred through gears 168 to second slidable rack member 172and attached second positioning jaw 134. The movement of firstpositioning jaw 132 and second positioning jaw 134 has resulted in thesurfaces 136, 138, 142, 144 of the positioning jaws 132, 134 eachcontacting a respective corner 94A, 94B, 94C, 94D of electronic device90, aligning, positioning, and/or centering electronic device 90 onplatform 112.

Referring next to FIGS. 7 and 8, the electronic device 90 is illustratedaligned and positioned on platform 112 with the lid 110 returned to theopen position. In some embodiments, the first positioning jaw 132 andsecond positioning jaw 134 will remain in their respective secondpositions when the lid 110 is returned to the first open position asillustrated in FIG. 7. In other embodiments, the first positioning jaw132 and second positioning jaw 134 are biased to return to theirrespective first position when the lid 110 is returned to the first openposition as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Referring next to FIGS. 9-12, an exemplary screen protector cartridgeassembly 50 is illustrated for use with apparatus 100. Screen protectorcartridge assembly 50 includes a screen protector 52. Screen protector52 comprises a transparent material for protecting a display 92 of theelectronic device 90 (see FIG. 3). Exemplary transparent materialsinclude glass, such as soda lime glass or fortified glass, or apolymeric material, such as a plastic film or composite of one or morepolymers. Screen protector 52 typically has a shape corresponding to ashape of the display 92 of electronic device 90, and in some embodimentsthe shape of electronic device 90 comprises a flat surface, asubstantially curved surface, or a substantially flat main portion andone or more curved or rounded edge portions. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 9-10, screen protector 52 includes one or morenotches 54 or cutouts configured to align with a feature of electronicdevice 90. In some embodiments, a removable top liner 56 covers at leasta portion of the top side of screen protector 52. Opposite removable topliner 56, a suitable adhesive 58 is positioned on a back side of thescreen protector 52 for affixing the screen protector 52 to the display92 of the electronic device. Adhesive 58 is illustratively covered by aremovable liner 70.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, screen protectorcartridge assembly 50 includes cartridge board 60. In some embodiments,cartridge board 60 is formed from a relatively stiff or rigid material.In other embodiments, cartridge board 60 is formed from a flexiblematerial.

In some embodiments, cartridge board 60 has a substantially rectangularshape, such as illustrated in FIGS. 9-12. In other embodiments,cartridge board 60 has a substantially wedge shape to assist properlypositioning and registering screen protector cartridge assembly 50within apparatus 100.

A top side of screen protector 52 is releasably attached to cartridgeboard 60 with a suitable adhesive. In some embodiments, screen protector52 is directly attached to cartridge board 60 with the adhesive. Inother embodiments, removable top liner 56 is attached to cartridge board60 with the adhesive.

Cartridge board 60 includes an aperture 62 through which screenprotector 52 is accessible, either directly or through removable topliner 56. In some embodiments, aperture 62 is completely surrounded bycartridge board 60. In other embodiments, aperture 62 is only partiallysurrounded by cartridge board 60.

In some embodiments, cartridge board 60 includes a handle 64 for a userto manipulate screen protector cartridge assembly 50. In someembodiments, cartridge board 60 includes one or more slots 66 forengaging releasable tabs 234 in base 110 for properly positioning andregistering screen protector cartridge assembly 50 within apparatus 100.In some embodiments, cartridge board 60 includes one or more recesses 68for properly positioning and/or registering screen protector cartridgeassembly 50 within apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, positioning and/or registering screen protectorcartridge assembly 50 within apparatus 100 includes fully insertingscreen protector cartridge assembly 50 along grooves 202 of lid 120until slots 66 engage releasable tabs 234 and/or recesses 68 engagecorresponding features in lid 120. In some embodiments, it can beimportant for screen protector cartridge assembly 50 be properlypositioned with respect to electronic device 90 such that screenprotector 52 is aligned with display 92 for proper application and fitof screen protector 52 onto display 92 when electronic device 90 isproperly aligned and/or positioned on platform 112 of apparats 100.

Removable liner 70 covers adhesive 58 on the back side of screenprotector 52. In some embodiments, removable liner 70 has a size that islarger than that of screen protector one or both of a length dimensionand a width dimension.

In some embodiments, removable liner 70 includes a leading edge 72extending outside a footprint of cartridge board 60.

In some embodiments, removable liner 70 and/or cartridge board 60includes a wiper 74 for cleaning display 92 of electronic device 90 whenscreen protector cartridge assembly 50 is inserted into apparatus 100.Wiper 74 is illustratively a microfiber cloth or sponge.

Referring next to FIGS. 13-17, screen protector cartridge assembly 50 isillustrated being received by apparatus 100. FIG. 15 illustrates anexploded view of apparatus 100 and screen protector cartridge assembly50. As illustrated in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, screen protectorcartridge assembly 50 is received by apparatus 100 after the electronicdevice 90 has been aligned and/or positioned as illustrated in FIG. 8.

In some embodiments, screen protector cartridge assembly 50 is receivedwithin lid 120 of apparatus 100. In other embodiments, screen protectorcartridge assembly 50 is received within base 110 of apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13,screen protector cartridge assembly 50 is inserted into lid 120 ofapparatus 100 while lid 120 is in an open position. In this embodiment,removable liner 70 is first removed, exposing the adhesive 58 on thebottom surface of screen protector 52. In FIG. 13, the edges ofcartridge board 60 are inserted into corresponding grooves 202 formed infirst portion 122 of lid 120. Cartridge board 60 is moved along grooves202 until slots 66 and recesses 68 (not shown in FIG. 13) are receivedin corresponding features in lid 120, indicating to the user that screenprotector cartridge assembly 50 is properly aligned and positioned. Theuser then closes lid 120, resulting in the configuration illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17. Aperture 62 of cartridge board 60 is at least partiallyaligned with a corresponding aperture 204 in lid 120 to provide accessto screen protector 52 through aperture 62 and aperture 204.

In other embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14,screen protector cartridge assembly 50 is inserted into lid 120 ofapparatus 100 while lid 120 is in a closed position. In this embodiment,leading edge 72 of bottom removable liner 70 is fed into slot 206 inbase 110 and the edges of cartridge board 60 are inserted intocorresponding grooves 202 formed in first portion 122 of lid 120.Cartridge board 60 is moved along grooves 202 until slots 66 andrecesses 68 (not shown in FIG. 14) are received in correspondingfeatures in lid 120, indicating to the user that screen protectorcartridge assembly 50 is properly aligned and positioned. In someembodiments, wiper 74 cleans the display 92 of electronic device 90supported on platform 112 of apparatus 100 as cartridge board 60 ismoved along grooves 202. At the same time, bottom removable liner 70 isforced through slot 206 and channel 208 to be deposited into removabletray 190. In some embodiments, the movement of cartridge board 60 intolid 120 simultaneously removes the bottom removable liner 70 from screenprotector 52, thereby exposing adhesive 58 on the bottom surface ofscreen protector 52. In some embodiments, removable tray 190 is sized toreceive multiple bottom removable liners 70 and hold them for laterdisposal. Once the screen protector cartridge assembly 50 is properlyaligned and positioned, the apparatus 100 is configured as illustratedin FIGS. 16 and 17. Aperture 62 of cartridge board 60 is at leastpartially aligned with a corresponding aperture 204 in lid 120 toprovide access to screen protector 52 through aperture 62 and aperture204.

In some embodiments, apparatus 100 includes a gantry 210 for affixingthe screen protector 52 to the display 92 of electronic device 90. Inthe exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the gantry 210is illustrated in a first position prior to contacting the screenprotector 52.

A bottom view of an exemplary gantry 210 is illustrated in FIGS. 18 and19. Gantry 210 illustratively includes a handle 212 for moving gantry210 with respect to lid 120, base 110, screen protector 52, andelectronic device 90 between the first position illustrated in FIGS. 16and 17 and the second position illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22.

Gantry 210 further includes roller 214. Roller 214 rotates aboutconnector 214 and axels 216. In some embodiments, roller 214 is sized tofit in aperture 204 of lid 120 and aperture 62 of cartridge board 60.Roller 214 is configured to contact the screen protector 52 to affix thescreen protector 52 to the display 92 of electronic device 90 positionedon platform 112 as the gantry moves from the first position illustratedin FIGS. 16 and 17 to the second position illustrated in FIGS. 21 and22.

In some embodiments, axels 216 are connected to bases 220 receivedwithin handle 212. A downward force is applied to bases 220 and attachedroller 214 by a biasing element, such as one or more springs 222. Insome embodiments, bases 220 are at least partially covered by one ormore covers 224.

In some embodiments, each end 226 of gantry 210 includes one or moreprojections 228. In some embodiments, each of ends 226 is secured togantry 210 with one or more fasteners 230. Projections 228 are receivedwithin corresponding grooves 232 in first portion 122 of lid 120.Projections 228 allow gantry 210 to slide with respect to lid 120between the first position and the second position, but resist gantry210 from moving vertically with respect to lid 120. In some embodiments,projections 228 are ball bearings able to rotate within end 226.

Gantry 120 is moved from the first position illustrated in FIGS. 16 and17 towards the second position illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. As gantry120 is moved towards the second position, the roller 214 moves withinaperture 204 of lid 120 and aperture 62 of cartridge board 60 andcontacts a front side of screen protector 52, either directly or througha front removable top liner 56 releasably adhered to the front side ofscreen protector 52. The downward force from springs 222 results in adownward force from roller 214 onto the screen protector 52, releasingthe screen protector from the cartridge board 60 and contacting theadhesive 58 on the back side of screen protector 52 to display 92 ofelectronic device 90, thereby affixing the screen protector 52 todisplay 92. FIG. 20 illustrates the gantry 210 at a positionintermediate the first position and the second position with the roller214 affixing the screen protector 52 to electronic device 90.

Referring next to FIGS. 21 and 22, the gantry 120 is illustrated in thesecond position. The gantry 120 has traversed the entire path from thefirst position illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, resulting in the roller214 contacting the screen protector 52 along its entire length andaffixing it to the electronic device 90. Without wishing to be held toany particular theory, it is believed that applying a screen protectorwith a force traversing along its length from a first end to a secondend, such as described herein, results in a better application of thescreen protector 52 and fewer trapped air bubbles, possibly due to theair bubbles being pushed out in the direction of travel of the roller214 as the screen protector 52 is applied.

Referring next to FIGS. 23 and 24, another exemplary apparatus 100′ isillustrated. In some embodiments, the features of apparatus 100′ may beincorporated in apparatus 100. Apparatus 100′ includes release mechanism240 for releasing latch 242, allowing lid 120 to open relative to base110. Latch 242 is configured to releasably engage projection 244 on lid120, thereby holding lid 120 in the second closed position asillustrated in FIG. 23. Latch 242 is configured to move to a secondposition to disengage projection 244, thereby allowing lid 120 to returnto the first open position as illustrated in FIG. 25.

In some embodiments, moving the gantry 210 from the first position tothe second position illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 results in a portionof gantry 210, such as end 226, contacting a portion of releasemechanism 240 proximate groove 232 to move latch 242 from the engagedposition to the disengaged position, thereby allowing lid 120 to returnto the first open position as illustrated in FIG. 25.

In some embodiments, moving the gantry 210 from the second positionillustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 back to the first position illustrated inFIG. 25 results in a portion of gantry 210, such as end 226 contactingend 246 of first beam 248 of release mechanism 240. A second end 250 offirst beam 248 is rotatably attached to base 210. Movement of first beam248 about second end 250 is transmitted via connecting beam 260 tosecond beam 270. Second beam 270 is rotatably attached to base 210 atend 272. Movement of second beam 270 results in latch 242 disengagingfrom projection 244 on lid 120, thereby allowing lid 120 to return tothe first open position as illustrated in FIG. 25.

In some embodiments, second beam 270 is rigidly attached to extension274, such that movement of second beam 270 is transferred throughextension 274 to release latch 276. In some embodiments, releasing latch276 results in lid 120 disengaging from base 120. In other embodiments,releasing latch 276 results in cartridge board 60 disengaging fromapparatus 100′ so that the empty cartridge board 60 can be removed fromapparatus 100′.

In some embodiments, first beam 248 includes extension 278. In someembodiments, movement of first beam 248 results in a portion of firstbeam 248, such as end 246 and/or extension 278, contacting release bar280. In some embodiments, contacting release bar 280 results in lid 120disengaging from base 120. In other embodiments, contacting release bar280 results in slots 66 disengaging releasable tabs 234, therebyresulting in cartridge board 60 disengaging from apparatus 100′ so thatthe empty cartridge board 60 can be removed from apparatus 100′.

Referring next to FIG. 25, apparatus 100 is illustrated with the lid 120in the open position. In some embodiments the cartridge board 60 isremoved and lid 120 is moved back to an open first position asillustrated, and the electronic device 90 with affixed screen protector52 can be removed by the user. In some embodiments, a removable topliner 56 is removed from screen protector 52 once the lid 120 is openedas illustrated in FIG. 25. The removable tray 190 may also be removedand the removable film 70 therein disposed of.

In another example, a screen protector cartridge assembly comprises ascreen protector including an adhesive positioned on a bottom side wherethe screen protector is configured to protect a display of an electronicdevice. The screen protector cartridge assembly further comprises acartridge board releasably attached to the screen protector where thecartridge board includes an aperture providing access to the screenprotector. Finally, the screen protector cartridge assembly furthercomprises a bottom release liner covering the adhesive and releasablyattached to the bottom surface of the screen protector.

The elements, components, and steps described herein are meant toexemplify some types of possibilities. In no way should theaforementioned examples limit the scope of the invention, as they areonly exemplary embodiments. Moreover, the figures provided are meant toillustrate certain features of the embodiments. Unless otherwise noted,they are not provided to scale.

The phrases “in some embodiments,” “according to some embodiments,” “inthe embodiments shown,” “in other embodiments,” “in some examples,” “inother examples,” “in some cases,” “in some situations,” “in oneconfiguration,” “in another configuration,” and the like generally meanthat the particular technique, feature, structure, or characteristicfollowing the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention and/or may be included in more than one embodiment ofthe present invention. In addition, such phrases do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiments or to different embodiments.

The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for an apparatusof the disclosure, which is done to aid in understanding the featuresand functionality that can be included in the enclosures describedherein. The apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated architecturesor configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternativearchitectures and configurations. Additionally, although the apparatusis described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments andimplementations, it should be understood that the various features andfunctionality described in one or more of the individual embodimentswith which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or insome combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of thedisclosure, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether ornot such features are presented as being a part of a describedembodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure,especially in any following claims, should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments.

The foregoing disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. Other modifications and variations of the disclosedtechniques may be possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments described in the foregoing disclosure were chosen to explainthe principles of the concept and its practical application to enableothers skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. It is intendedthat the claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments ofthe invention, except as limited by the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for assisting in affixing a screenprotector to a display of an electronic device, the electronic deviceincluding a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourthcorner, the apparatus comprising: a base including a platform configuredto support the electronic device; a lid attached to the base and movablefrom a first position to a second position, the lid configured to atleast partially cover the base and supported electronic device when inthe second position; and a positioning mechanism configured to align thesupported electronic device on the platform, the positioning mechanismcomprising: a first positioning jaw movable from a first position to asecond position, the first positioning jaw including a first surfaceconfigured to contact the first corner of the supported electronicdevice at a first angle and a second surface configured to contact thesecond corner of the supported electronic device at a second angle thatis different than the first angle when the first positioning jaw movesfrom the first position to the second position, wherein the firstpositioning jaw is configured to position the supported electronicdevice on the platform in the second position, wherein the firstpositioning jaw is operably connected to the lid such that a movement ofthe lid from the first position to the second position transfers themovement of the lid to the first positioning jaw to move the firstpositioning jaw from the first position to the second position.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the positioning mechanism furthercomprises a second positioning jaw movable from a first position to asecond position, the second positioning jaw including a first surfaceconfigured to contact the third corner of the supported electronicdevice and a second surface configured to contact the fourth corner ofthe supported electronic device to position the supported electronicdevice on the platform in a supported position.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the second positioning jaw is operably connected to thelid such that moving the lid from the first position to the secondposition moves the second positioning jaw from the first position to thesecond position to position the supported electronic device on theplatform in the supported position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe lid is pivotably attached to the base.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a latch for securing the lid in the second position.6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element forbiasing the lid in the first position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a drive shaft operably connecting a lower edge of thelid to the first positioning jaw for transferring the movement of thelid to the first positioning jaw, the drive shaft being positioned belowthe platform of the base.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein movingthe lid from the first position to the second position results in alateral movement of the drive shaft, the lateral movement of the driveshaft being at least partially transferred to the first positioning jaw.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the drive shaft comprises a springconfigured to absorb a portion of the lateral movement of the driveshaft.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the drive shaft comprises atube, at least a portion of the spring being positioned inside the tube.